Three days after the cryptic announcement that San Diego State women’s basketball coach Beth Berns "has retired," key figures at the university continue to remain silent about the reasons behind it.

Athletic director Jim Sterk was out of town and remained unavailable (and unwilling) to comment aside from a nondescript, three-sentence statement in Tuesday’s news release. And Jack Beresford, the university’s chief communication officer, said President Elliot Hirshman “declined to comment” about the unexplained departure of the program’s winningest coach in school history.

Interim head coach Jualeah Woods and the other assistants were out of town recruiting and unavailable. Players did not return messages or declined comment.

Burns, too, remains quiet.

“When your coach retires there (are) a lot of thoughts than run into your mind,” freshman forward Deajanae Scurry posted on Twitter. “But hopefully it is a positive change. That’s all you can pray for.”

Speculation continues to swirl about the terms of Burns’ departure after 16 years at SDSU and just weeks after winning a school-record 27 games, although the possibilities appear to be narrowing.

Two people speaking on the condition of anonymity said they have been in contact with Burns and were told her health is “fine.” Other sources indicated that the popular coach was not forced out due to impending NCAA violations.

Nor does a contract dispute appear to be at issue. Burns signed a five-year extension last summer that pays her a base salary of $220,000 per year plus bonuses. This season, she would have been eligible for an extra $18,333 for winning the Mountain West regular-season title, $18,333 for reaching the WNIT and $5,000 for being named conference coach of the year. She also could receive another $10,000 or $20,000 based on ticket revenue levels.

The original contract, from September 2007, included buyout penalties if Burns “voluntarily terminates her employment,” starting at $200,000 in the first two years and decreasing after that. But they expired in 2011, and no new buyout provisions were included in the extension signed last summer and obtained by UT San Diego.

Equally uncertain is the status of the four incoming freshmen signed to national letters of intent last November, including Briteesha Solomon of Mission Bay High. If the head coach leaves, recruits can ask to be released from the otherwise binding letter but schools are not obligated to do so.

A coaching change sometimes brings transfers among the current roster as well.

“Same but I have two,” Culberson tweeted back. “I (just don’t) have time to rebuild under a brand new staff.”

On Thursday, SDSU cancelled the annual postseason banquet scheduled for Wednesday and offered refunds to boosters who had purchased tickets.

“The Aztec Women’s Basketball team has elected to hold a private gathering to celebrate the season and will not be holding a formal banquet,” an email to boosters said. “We congratulate the student-athletes and coaching staff on a tremendous season which resulted in a Mountain West Conference regular-season championship and a school-record 27 wins.

“We wish the seniors continued success and look forward to the future of Aztec Women’s Basketball. Thank you for your continued support.”